Laois Sinn Féin TD Brian Stanley has raised the issue again of Mountmellick Flood Relief Scheme.
Mountmellick was devastated by flooding with dozens of homes and premises damaged in November 2017.
According to Deputy Stanley, planning is now to be submitted by Laois County Council to An Bord Pleanála before the end of June.
An Environmental Impact Statement is being completed in the meantime.
Construction is due to begin in the second quarter of next year and is scheduled to be completed by 2026.
Following a query on the matter to the relevant government department, Deputy Stanley received the following reply.
He said: “The Mountmellick Flood Relief Scheme is currently in the latter phase of Stage 1: Scheme Preliminary Design and Development.
“The key remaining deliverables for Stage 1 include the finalisation of the Options Report and the Environment Impact Assessment Report, which are due to be completed by the scheme’s consultants in Q1 2024.
“Following the completion of an Environment Impact Assessment Report, it is envisaged than an application for planning consent for the Mountmellick Flood Relief Scheme will be submitted by Laois County Council to An Bord Pleanála under Part 10 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) in Q2 2024.
“To facilitate the submission of a planning application, Laois County Council is currently engaging with relevant landowners and preparation relevant documentation.
“Subject to planning consent, and following a period for detailed design, it is envisaged that construction will commence in Q2 2025 and be substantially complete prior to end of 2026.
“While every effort is being made to process the Mountmellick Floor Relief Scheme, programme delays have arisen in Stage 1 due to a variety of factors, including change in scope to include a large scheme area and increased complexity of scheme.
“Other issues contributing to delays in Stage 1 include assessment of Davitt Road drainage network, resolution of flooding north of Convent Bridge and development of the new Owenass Bridge on the site of the existing bridge.
“These additional were identified as necessary to protect the town to the required standard of protection following detailed analysis by the engineering consultants in conjunction with the project steering group.”
